Best what3words API Alternatives in 2026
The top what3words API alternatives are CARTO, Foursquare and GeoServer: 15 location platform software our editors would look at instead of what3words API, in our ranking order.
what3words API: A focused API for converting three-word addresses and coordinates, with AutoSuggest and grid data. Where it falls short: its focus is three-word addressing rather than a broad location platform..
Switching from what3words API? For most location platform software buyers the best what3words API alternative is CARTO, built for teams building spatial analytics and location apps. On a budget, Stadia Maps starts at $20/mo. Foursquare has a free plan.
Why People Look for a what3words API Alternative
- Its focus is three-word addressing rather than a broad location platform
- Routing is not included
- The Free plan is limited to AutoSuggest and available-language functions
- No routing — 4 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCARTO9.3
Teams building spatial analytics and location apps
Visit CARTO - Lowest priceStadia Maps6.9
Paid plans from $20/mo
Visit Stadia Maps - Best free optionFoursquare9.1
Has a free plan
Visit Foursquare - Best for routingMappls APIs6.8
Routing (what3words API: no)
Visit Mappls APIs
All 15 what3words API Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forTeams building spatial analytics and location apps
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 5.3
A broad toolkit for spatial analysis, location apps, and territory optimization.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit CARTO -
Best forTeams needing POI data and spatial analysis
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 5.3
A broad location platform combining global POI data, spatial analysis, mapping, and APIs.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Foursquare -
Best forTeams serving open geospatial data themselves
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.3
A self-hosted geospatial server for teams that need standards-based data services.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit GeoServer -
Best forTeams needing configurable open-source map services
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.3
Configurable, standards-based mapping for teams prepared to self-host and operate it.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit MapServer -
Best forTeams styling and managing Mapbox maps
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.3
A focused style editor for teams building maps with Mapbox tools.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Mapbox Studio -
Best forMicrosoft-centric teams needing mapping APIs
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.3
A broad mapping API toolkit with a free tier and Microsoft analytics connections.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Azure Maps -
Best forTeams optimizing vehicle and fleet routes
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 5.3
A routing API for fleet optimization, with geocoding and traffic-aware planning alongside it.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit GraphHopper -
Best forTeams creating and publishing custom maps
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 5.3
A flexible mapping toolkit for teams that need custom maps and hosted geodata.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit MapTiler Cloud -
Best forTeams building location-based applications
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 6.9 vs 5.3
Maps and location APIs from free noncommercial use to paid commercial plans.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Stadia Maps -
Best forTeams building India-focused location applications
- Better than what3words API:
- Routing
- Editor score 6.8 vs 5.3
A broad location toolkit for application teams, with a free plan and sales-led pricing.
- Routing
- Geocoding
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Mappls -
Best forAWS teams building map-enabled applications
- Better than what3words API:
- Routing
- Editor score 6.7 vs 5.3
A managed AWS location service spanning maps, geocoding, routing, tracking, and geofencing.
- Routing
- Geocoding
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit AWS -
Best forTeams needing a spatial database foundation
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 6.6 vs 5.3
A self-hosted PostgreSQL extension for storing, querying, and processing spatial data.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit PostGIS -
Best forTeams building with location data and spatial APIs
- Better than what3words API:
- Routing
- Editor score 6.5 vs 5.3
A broad location API toolkit for teams building apps and workflows around spatial data.
- Data export
- Routing
- Geocoding
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Precisely -
Best forMarketers running location-triggered campaigns
- Better than what3words API:
- Editor score 6.4 vs 5.3
Radar turns app location signals into audiences, messages, and foot-traffic attribution.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Radar -
Best forDevelopers adding geocoding and routing to apps
- Better than what3words API:
- Routing
- Editor score 6.3 vs 5.3
A developer-focused API suite for geocoding, maps and routing, with a free tier and paid plans.
- Routing
- Geocoding
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit LocationIQ
what3words API Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to what3words API?
CARTO: #1 in our Location Platform Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad toolkit for spatial analysis, location apps, and territory optimization.
Is there a free alternative to what3words API?
Yes. Foursquare, GeoServer, MapServer, Mapbox Studio and Azure Maps have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to what3words API?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Stadia Maps starts lowest, at $20/mo.
Why do people look for what3words API alternatives?
Its focus is three-word addressing rather than a broad location platform; Routing is not included; The Free plan is limited to AutoSuggest and available-language functions.
How do I switch from what3words API?
Export your data from what3words API (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel what3words API.
How to Switch from what3words API
- Export your data from what3words API (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel what3words API.
what3words API vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | what3words API | Yes | £7.99/mo | 5.3 |
| 1 | CARTO | No | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Foursquare | Yes | $25/mo | 9.1 |
| 3 | GeoServer | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 4 | MapServer | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 5 | Mapbox Studio | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 6 | Azure Maps | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 7 | GraphHopper | Yes | €69/mo | 7.5 |
| 8 | MapTiler Cloud | Yes | $30/mo | 7.4 |
| 9 | Stadia Maps | Yes | $20/mo | 6.9 |
| 10 | Mappls APIs | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 11 | Amazon Location Service | No | 6.7 | |
| 12 | PostGIS | Free | 6.6 | |
| 13 | Precisely APIs | No | 6.5 | |
| 14 | Radar | No | $0.02/user usage-based | 6.4 |
| 15 | LocationIQ | Yes | $450/yr | 6.3 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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